To commemorate our 13 year partnership with Swarovski, we asked the CFDA Swarovski nominees for Menswear 13 questions about life, work, and personal style.

1. What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out? No idea is too small to make a large impact.

2. What is one piece of advice you’d give someone just starting out?

Build a business that you develop organically.

3. What inspires you on a daily basis?

Human behavior, sensuality, luxury (and the lack there of), and my close friends.

4. How do you choose your collection theme each season?

The theme usually grows out of a personal, pressing desire, a want that isn’t being met in the realms of fashion.

5. What is the next step for you with your collection?

I’ll be expanding into new arenas of luxury for the brand.

6. Describe your brand in three words: Power, evolution, personal.

7. Hometown:

St. Paul, Minnesota

8. Favorite city: New York.

9. Current neighborhood:

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

10. Your typical OOTD (outfit of the day):

Jeans, boots and a blouse.

11. Hobbies outside of the office:

DJing.

12. Fashion icon:

No icons, just moments.

13. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A dancer.

1. What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out?

I have been in the industry for 20 years, so I was pretty seasoned when I went on my own.

2. What is one piece of advice you’d give someone just starting out?

Be nice! Nobody likes mean people and they never forget.

3. What inspires you on a daily basis?

My two daughters. Whenever I’m stressed, I just look at them and they keep me going.

4. How do you choose your collection theme each season?

I love to travel and I love movies. Whenever I travel for work, I like to think what would Paul Newman or Ryan Gosling be wearing.

5. What is the next step for you with your collection?

My next step is tailoring. I have a suiting line launching in Nordstrom this year. I started at a men’s tailor shop in Iowa doing alterations and worked my way up to become a designer. It feels very natural to move into tailoring.